Dubai: The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the King Salman Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Relief have signed an agreement for almost US$8.3 million (Dh30.48 million) to support the ongoing health response to the cholera outbreak in Yemen.

The support from the King Salman Centre will ensure that 7.3 million people in 13 priority governorates are reached with life-saving health services as part of coordinated efforts by all health partners to conduct prevention activities and provide treatment.

“While cholera is usually a disease that can be easily prevented and treated, millions of people in Yemen are at risk as a result of limited heath, water and environmental sanitation services. This funding from the King Salman Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Relief to the people of Yemen under the umbrella of WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean comes at a critical time and provides us with an opportunity to continue building on our response to contain and control this serious outbreak,” said Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

United Nations reports indicate that in Yemen almost 19 million people — more than two thirds of the total population — are in need of humanitarian assistance, and that 14.5 million people lack access to clean water and sanitation. The country is facing outbreaks of cholera, measles and dengue fever, and malnutrition rates are alarmingly high, with almost 3.3 children and women acutely malnourished.

“The regional office expresses its gratitude to His Royal Highness Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, for the continued support provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Relief to the health response in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has always provided support to health and relief programmes run by WHO. This reflects the strategic partnership between WHO and Saudi Arabia in order to support the activities and work of the regional office in this area,” said Dr Fikri.

Specifically, this support will enable WHO, health authorities and health cluster partners to:

• strengthen and improve surveillance for early detection, investigation and response;

• ensure implementation of treatment measures based on national treatment protocols and international standards;

MY GULF NEWS

GulfNews.com is the most widely read newspaper, and online site in English in the Middle East. With a daily BPA audited paid circulation of over 93,068 as of June 2017, and an online audience of 5.3 million uniques every month, it is your go to source for information on the region. Sign up below to begin personalising your experience